Padlock



R. K. GRAY Dec. 23, 1947.

PADLOCK Filed Oct. 22, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1 a LW \fim 5 I 4 I Ilkll w A v M 2% ,3 .lnll I p J 2 4 Patented Dec. 23, 1947 PADLOCK Raymond K. Gray, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Illinois Lock Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application October 22, 1945, Serial No. 623,729

. 4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a key-operated padlock of the type which utilizes a shackle slidable inwardly and outwardly relative to the padlock body, and is concernedprimarily with a mount.- ing for the various working parts. whereby to assure a dependable and satisfactory operation thereof over a long period of service, and a facile assembly of such parts upon the mounting preliminary to insertion thereof as a unit into the lock body for securement therein. In general, the padlock is of the dual locking type employing a swinging bolt whose opposite ends are movable concurrently into nd out of engagement with the shackle arms. The features of myinvention, however, relate more particularly to details of improvement, particularly the mounting for the working parts whereby to facilitate and speed the assembly thereof, and a lock for the mounting as well as, for the key-operated cylinder plug which it carries, all as hereinafter set forth and described.

An exemplification of the present padlock invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view of the padlock in perspective, looking towardv its-bottom end;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken through a plane centrally of its longer dimension;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section, taken on line 3--Zi of 'Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section, taken on lined-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the mounting per'se, looking down upon the top and towardone end thereof;

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of (a) the looking. bolt, (b) the. transmission. and mounting therefor, and (c) the cylinder plug, inaxi-al alignment ready for assembly into an operating unit; and

Figs. 7,8, and 9" are transverse sections all in the: plane of line '!-7 of Fig. 2, showing, respec tively, the positions of the-parts aswhen (a) assembly thereof upon the mounting is about to take place,v (b) assembly is completed and the parts are. operated totheir locking positions, and (c) assembly is completed and the parts have been. operatedtto: their unlocking positions.

As shown, I utilize a hollow body A having agenerally elliptical cross section and provided with a large chamber a open only at the bottom, and-at the top by two openings (1 and I) through which may be extended the long and short arms l0 and H, respectively, of a shackle S. The chamber is further recessed, at d, adjacent its 2 bottom, this recess being offset to a lower plane at e at one end of the chamber. The two arms of the shackle are provided with facing notches f at opposite points not far from the end of the short arm, each to be engaged by the locking bolt presently to be described. In its lower region the long arm is provided with a tapered section i5 which joins with an extension it of reduced diameter whereon is built out an annular head l1. Between this head and a ledge l8 extending from one end of a mounting base (shortly to be described) is positioned a coiled compression spring l9 into which the arm extension [6 is fitted, a constant thrust force being, thereby maintained axially of the long arm of the shackle such as to displace the shackle outwardly of the padlock body, whenever conditions will permit.

The working parts are carried by a mounting M which, together therewith, are adapted to be inserted as a unit into the body chamber for securement therein. When so fitted and secured in place, a closure is provided for the chamber open end whereby the locking mechanism to the interior thereof is effectively protected. This mounting, as shown, is formed with an enlarged elliptical base 20 of a size to fit within the chamber recess d, one end of the base being provided with the ledge l8 which enters into the offset recess 6. Rising from the base is a main column or post 22with walls 23 extending toward the near end whereon is the ledge l8, the walls defining between them an elongated half round surface 9 which is adapted to face similarly rounded surface h in. the body wall to provide therebetween a cylindrical chamber for accommodation of the shackle long arm l0.

Extending from the column 22 are curvedwalls 25 having a vertical axis which is substantially at the base center, these walls continuing through perhaps 300 to form a shell with a gap or opening facing upon one of the long sides of the mounting. Opposite the gap and rising from the wall top edge is an arcuate shoulder 26 extending through or so. One wall edge adjacent the gap is recessed at 21 from its top down through a short distance where it ends in a shoulder 28, and slightly below this shoulder is a groove 30 extending circumferentially of the shell. This groove may extend clear through the shell at points adjacent the gap, it then becomes gradually shallower and finally non-existent at a point at opposite the gap. The space defined by the shell is in register with a slightly larger circular opening 32' through the base, and extending upwardly from said opening, in opposite faces of the walls 25in their lower region, are channels 33 into which may be projected the ends of certain reciprocable plate tumblers as hereinafter described. Into the base opening depends a lug 34 adjacent one of the two channels. So that the shell walls may accommodate channels of adequate depth, their lower region is built up at 35 to provide the necessary extra thickness.

The mounting, as herein disclosed, may be cast or otherwise formed in a single piece, and it serves to carry all the operating parts of the lock save only the shackle and its spring. It may accordingly be fitted with most of the parts it is to carry preliminary to insertion into the body chamber, and when positioned and secured therein an operative relationship with the shackle is assured. When so positioned a complete closure for the body chamber at its bottom may be provided permanently, as by interlocking the lower edge of the body with the mounting base by the well-known process of knurling or crimping. EX- tending longitudinally within the body chamber is a wide rib 36 having a concave face, adapted for reception within the gap of the curved walls to complete the enclosure therewithin. A groove 31 is formed crosswise of the rib in line with the groove 30 in the walls 25 so as to provide, in effect, a continuation thereof.

Referring now to Figs. 6-9, the locking parts are shown as comprising a cylinder plug P having at one end a circular base 4| adapted to be seated within the circular opening 32 to provide a complete closure therefor. Through the plug base is a central opening for a key 42 to 0perate tumblers 43 which are adapted for opposite movements inwardly and outwardly to enter and vacate the arcuate channels 33. The plug which provides a mounting for these tumblers is formed with a circular head end wall 44 from which is extended axially a cylindrical boss 45 having across its top a diametrical tongue 35.

Means are provided to releasably lock the plug in its operative position in the cylindrical space within the shell. For this purpose I may employ a split spring ring 50 (see Figs. 2, 3, and 6) whose size is such as to straddle the plug head 44' wherein is a peripheral groove 1* for its reception. This groove 1 lies opposite the groove 30 in the shell 25, and in response to its own tension force the ring will seat itself within these two grooves, also the groove 3! in the rib 36-. At one point only, viz., at the surface point 3i, the ring is not confined for a reason which will presently appear. one side of center to occupy an eccentric position relative to the axis of the plug (see Fig. 3).

A plate bolt B is provided to be operated in response to turning movements of the plug. As shown best in Fig. 6, this bolt has a generally circular form in its middle region from which are oppositely extended locking heads 55. Formed centrally of the bolt is an opening 56 in the form of a double truncated triangle having an intermediate minimum width about equal to that of the tongue 45 which is adapted for reception therein. When so positioned, the bolt will rest on the end of the boss 45 (see Fig. 2) and in response to rotation thereof will be swung to its various operative positions, the shape of the opening providing for lost motion on the part of the tongue 65 which transmits motion thereto. A coiled spring 58 which surrounds the boss 45 is provided with out-turned ends, one of which engages the recessed edge 21 of the shell 25 and The ring accordingly remains shifted to iii) the other an edge of one of the bolt heads 55, the effect being to swing the bolt coaxially with the plug to a position where the tongue 46 is normally engaged with certain of the edges of the opening 56, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Extended laterally from the bolt adjacent one of its heads is a heel 6| which in the unlocked position with the shackle shifted outwardly engages the tapered section l5 of its long arm and also its head I! whereby to limit its outward displacement.

In use, an operating key, inserted through the slot 0 in the plug base, is engaged with the tumblers so that, when turned, the tumblers are pulled in to clear the channels 33, the plug then rotating with the key. Initially, before this movement starts, the shackle is locked by engagement of the two bolt heads within the notches 1 of its two arms (see Fig. 8) at the conclusion of the plug turning movement, the bolt heads will have cleared these notches (see Fig. 9) so that the shackle is then free to be pushed outwardly by tension of the spring I9 to the point where the head ll on its long arm it comes to rest against the underside of the heel 6|. In this position, the short arm H is clear of the padlock body, permitting the shackle to execute a swinging movement about the axis of its lon arm. When the shackle is swung back again, to the position in which its two arms are aligned with the body openings a. and b, it may be pushed inwardly for automatic locking. At the start of this return inward movement, the shackle long arm tapered section I5 lies just above the heel 61 of the bolt so that, when inward movement takes place, this section of the shackle arm will cam the bolt around to whatever extent is necessary to remove interference to continued advance of the shackle against the tension of the compression spring l9. When this inward movement has continued to the point that the two shackle notches f are opposite the two heads of the bolt, the overhanging upper shoulders formed by such notches will engage the upper face of the plate bolt, thereby acting as a limit stop. In this position, the bolt is free to swing back into simultaneous engagement with the two notches f of the shackle which is thereupon locked securely against further movement.

Between the plug and the plate bolt there is provision for a definite slip movement, as already noted. The range of plug oscillatory movement is determined by the distance between two stop shoulders 65 and 66 in the plug base 4| at opposite ends of an arcuate recess therein (see Figs. 2 and 6), minus the width of the lug 34 which depends into the recess to be engaged alternately by these stop shoulders with each operating cycle of the cylinder plug. This movement range is sufficient to operate the plate bolt between the positions of Figs. 8 and 9, in the former of which both arm of the shackle are immovably locked and in the latter of which the shackle arms are released for out-movement from the body in response to tension exerted by the spring l9 whereby the shackle is free to be swung around an aXis which is coincident with its long arm. This out-movement of the shackle is limited by engagement of its head IT with the bolt heel 6| (see Fig. 9) and by virtue of this interengagement, and so long as it'continues, the plate bolt is prevented from returning to its normal locking position.

The spring tends to return the bolt and plug to their normal locking positions (see Fig. 8)

whenever the shackle short arm is opposite its opening 17 and an inward pressure is applied. In this inward movement of the shackle, the tapered section l5 cams the plate bolt around sufficiently to remove any interference, the result being that both notches f are brought opposite the bolt heads 55 for engagement thereby. At this point, the plate bolt swings back into looking position, returning with it the cylinder plug to its initial position.

When the padlock parts are to be assembled, the shell, complete with the plate bolt and spring 60, is inserted into the hollow body A, and the shackle and its spring are then advanced into the openings a and b. Initially the plate bolt will occupy the abnormal position (see Fig. 7) where its two heads remain away from th openings at and b. This is necessary in order that clearance may be provided for insertion of the two arms of the shackle when assembly is taking place. The spring 60 will swing the bolt to this abnormal position because, with no cylinder plug yet connected operatively therewith, the bolt is free to occupy this extreme position. After the two shackle arms have entered their respective openings, the plug, together with the locking spring 50, is introduced in place. The tongue 46 projects a sufficient distance to enter the bolt opening 56 before the plug has advanced to its final position, thereby permitting an initial turning movement which does two things: (a) swings the bolt around to a point which i within its normal movement range, and (b) rotates the plug to the point of locating its stop shoulders 65 and 66 on opposite sides of the lug 34. With the parts turned to this position the plug is free to complete its advance into the mounting and when so advanced the lug 34 enters between the stop shoulders to confine rotation of the plug to a limited range of movement. The plate bolt is also confined to a similar movement range, plus the free motion that is permitted between itself and the plug. This latter motion is important because it permits the bolt to be cammed aside when the shackle is pushed into locked position. The shackle may therefore be locked in place against separation from the padlock body, and by operation of the plate bolt to one position is freed for opening movement and in the opposite position is secured against any such movement. When the plug has advanced to its final position the locking spring 50 then engages the groove 30 of the shell, and also the registering groove 31 in the padlock body, thereby interlocking the plug, shell and body in a permanently assembled relation.

I claim:

1. A look comprising a cylindrical shell provided with a longitudinal gap along one side and with an internal circumferential groove having adjacent the gap a maximum depth which decreases to zero at a point opposite the gap, a chambered body in which the shell is mounted provided with a longitudinal rib adapted to fit into the gap, the rib being formed with a transverse groove in alignment with the circumferential groove of the shell, a key-operated cylinder plug mounted for rotation within the shell and formed with an external circumferential groove, and a split spring ring seated within the circumferential grooves of the plug and shell and the transverse groove of the body rib to lie eccentrically of the plug and shell whereby to interlock the body, shell and plug against relative longitudinal movement.

2. A look comprising a cylindrical shell having an internal circumferential groove eccentric with respect to the shell axis and an opening in its side wall at a point of maximum groove depth, a chambered body in which the shell is mounted having a rib extended into the opening, the rib being formed with a transverse groove in alignment with the shell groove, a key-operated cylinder plug mounted for rotation within the shell and formed with an external circumferential groove, and a split spring ring seated within the grooves of the shell, rib and plug whereby to prevent relative longitudinal movement between the shell, body and plug.

3. A look comprising a chambered body having a transversely grooved rib projecting thereinto, a cylindrical shell mounted within the body chamber and formed with an opening to receive the body rib whose grooved face is exposed upon the interior of the shell, there being a circumferential groove interiorly of the shell in align- I ment with the rib groove, a key-operated cylinder plug mounted for rotation within the shell and formed with an external circumferential groove, and a split spring ring seated within the grooves of the rib, shell and plug whereby to prevent relative longitudinal movement between the body, shell and plug.

4. A look comprising a chambered body having a rib projecting thereinto, a cylindrical shell mounted within the body chamber and formed with an opening to receive the body rib whose inner face is exposed upon the interior of the shell, a key-operated cylinder plug mounted for rotation withinthe shell, there being a pair of complementary opposed grooves formed circumferentially on the plug exterior and on the shell and rib interior and eccentrically of the axis of the plug and shell, and a split spring ring seated within such opposed grooves to lock the plug, shell and body against longitudinal movement relative to each other.

RAYMOND K. GRAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

